Houston is looking for a 3 and D wing. Instead of potentially being tied to Bazemore’s large salary next year, they ease their cap hit for 2020 by moving Knight and get an expiring but very productive Matthews.

Knicks clear an additional $5M in cap space this summer and move a guy clearly no longer being considered for lead guard of the future with DSJ around. The picks, while hard to only take 2 seconds for a former top 10 pick, speaks to Frank’s current market value.

Magic need a PG, and take a buy low shot that Frank figures out his game. Even if he does not become the starting lead guard, giving up a couple of 2nd’s for a quality multiple position defender is not a bad deal.

7) Use vet exception on Shaun Livingston. If Warriors are most likely not going to have the ability to sign him. Him, Ginobli and Murray cover until Parker returns, and allows to play Parker less minutes once he's back.

If Melo is going to waive his no trade,
Cleveland would be one of the few places he would agree to go. The Cavs also add a quality backup PG and clear about $5M of cap spend off their books to help with luxury tax payments.

Denver is looking for a star, and they get one in Love.

Knicks add a quality PF that would allow Zinger to spend more minutes at the five. A pick and a much needed wing defender also come New York's way.

2.) 22 Jan 2017 20:21:15
This just makes Cavs worse and Nuggets get a steal. Cavs aren't going to shake things up this late and Love is better suited as a 3rd option than Melo and provides rebounding and passing. It took two entire seasons for Love to adjust to the role and I think it would be even worse for Melo. Yes they add a backup pg but the lose Shumpert and their wing depth is already weak with JR injured.

3.) 22 Jan 2017 21:06:45
Terrible trade for the Cavs. Love fits the Cavs far better than Melo, is younger, and makes less money. Shumpert is a better and younger player than Nelson and there are free agent point guards that are just as good as Nelson. Denver gives up almost nothing for Love.

After LBJ's "Dream Team" comments, I looked around the NBA for a team that has the potential to make it happen. I came up with two possibilities, and both are below:

The LA Clippers

Paul is already there, so that takes care of one issue. To get Melo there would be easy, a Melo for Griffin deal or multi-team deal that moves Griffin out and Melo in.

Bron could get there via sign and trade, as Cleveland would most likely be willing to take back Jordan if LBJ forced the issue of an S&T.

Getting Wade is a bit more difficult, but again, if he requested an S&T from the Heat, and taking a pay cut to $10-$12M a year could work if the Heat have interest in J. J., which may not be far fetched. Both Wade and Melo's wives are Hollywood types, so living in L. A. would most likely be good with everyone.

Miami Heat

While it's crazy to think that LBJ would go back, it could be possible.

The Heat have approximately $45M to spend this offseason. If Wade and LBJ would be willing to split up $30M of that (Wade $12M, LBJ $18M), the Heat still have a decent amount of wiggle room.

To get Melo, I don't think it would be difficult to convince the Knicks to take a Melo for Dragic swap (some smaller pieces could or don't need to be added) .

Getting Paul is considerably more difficult. Two options are a multi team deal that sees Bosh and Winslow go out, Winslow to LAC, and Bosh to? That could stir up enough assets to send to LAC for Paul. The other option is just wait until next offseason for Paul and sign him (ETO for 17-18 season would need to be taken) .

I hate LBJ, so I don care to see him get what he wants, but thought it would be fun to run with his comments.

Thoughts?

Triangle O

1.) 25 Mar 2016 00:31:14
Or kyrie for paul. Love to Celtics bkn pick to Knicks and Melo to cavs (bits and pieces will of course be included) . Trade shumpert and frye as a salary dump. Sign wade and resign lebron.

4.) 25 Mar 2016 13:35:18
The league's got to be about competitive balance, not team stacking. The league has to approve all trades and contracts. I don't know exactly how they would stop this but the word "collusion" comes to mind. Teams cannot collude so players should be able to either. What James, Wade and Bosh did in Miami was wrong. Lesson learned. It should never happen again.

6.) 25 Mar 2016 15:34:19
I guess the one way the league could stop this would be if the owners forced a lock-out. Besides the team getting all the stars, I can't see anyone other owner in the league allowing this to happen.

Its inverse tanking. They modified the draft so that teams couldn't tank and be guaranteed the top pick. Maybe they'll need to come up with a free agency equivalent.

9.) 25 Mar 2016 22:41:27
You should look up the definition of collusion.

secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others.

He isn't cheating or deceiving. He just wants to play with his friends. Take less money. Win championships. No one complained when he did it with miami 5 years ago. why is it an issue now? It won't happen. If it did, it simply shows a lack of confidence or ability to win on your opwn. Nothing illegal. look at duncan or nowitski, neiother makes what their actual worth is. they took payh cuts to sign better players. but that's fine. once lebron wants to do it, with 3 others, its an issue. when he did it with 2 others, nol biggie. come on, just let things happen.

besides, i'd still bet on the warriors beating them. remember when the lakers snagged payton and malone? howd that turn out?

10.) 26 Mar 2016 12:45:27
I should look up "collusion"? "It is an agreement among firms or individuals to divide a market, set prices, limit production or limit opportunities. "

And you know darn well exactly what I'm getting at- an organized attempt to upset the competitive balance in the league. Call it whatever you want. Its clearly against the best interest of the league.

As for your claim that nobody complained over the Miami thing, that's not correct. It was brought up in the Owners Meeting in which they discussed player-player tampering. That was reported in the NY Times.

Raptors are looking for both another wing and a PF. Thomas is a good addition based on his floor spacing and defense. He's also an expiring deal, meaning he contributes this year, especially with Carroll out a while longer, and the Raptors are not tied to his number next year.

Wright won't see the court in T. O. With Lowry and Joseph ahead of him on the depth chart. Knicks need a PG, why not give Delon a try.

22 Feb 2019 12:46:39
JoeB (for Boston I assume), why would the Pels care if he stays in the West if the plan is to rebuild with this trade?

Yes, if you’re planning on dealing an AD and then hoping to continue competing, I get your logic, but this is a team that’s out of the playoffs with AD on the team and is likely not a playoff contender after it for a while. Take the best package possible in this scenario, regardless of the conference it comes from.

22 Feb 2019 08:19:30
This is simple. Knicks brass has been hoarding youth and picks, this leadership group finally appreciates that both are important. To deal a bunch of them to pick up a UFA that has hinted previously that he may be interested in playing in NY makes no sense.

If the youth is being moved, it will be for a guy still under contract, ie. AD. Sure, Kyrie gets more money potentially in a S&T, but if that’s the only way he’ll come, either give up less than the above or move on to the next FA down the list.

20 Feb 2019 14:59:26
I don’t like Vucevic as a target for them unless they’re letting WCS walk and committing to making one of Bagley or Giles a PF long term. Yes, I know both are/ have played the PF position this year, but I feel like both would be better served at the 5.